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By diversifying her company's products, Elaine Binder, president and co-founder of Spongeables LLC—a manufacturer of human bath body buffers, recently emerged in the pet care market via the launch of Haute Dog Bath Buffer, a spa in a sponge for pets. She discusses with GCI magazine the experience of opening up new retail and distribution opportunities through the line expansion.
GCI: What were the benefits to brand line expansion for Spongeables LLC into the pet bath and body care segment?
Elaine Binder: Spongeables LLC is known for producing high-quality body buffers for humans. We have a new patent-pending technology that allows us to infuse ingredients directly into a specific matrix. In the case of our Spongeables and Spongelle products, we use a variety of cleansing gels, skin care ingredients and fragrances that are infused into a body buffer matrix. We can provide a guaranteed number of uses for each product and a specific mix of ingredients with every use. Our technology is so versatile; we've always been aware that there are applications beyond personal grooming. Once we established ourselves, we were ready to explore new products and new distribution streams outside of the beauty/bath/personal care arena. As a pet owner, I was aware that the same things that make our personal grooming products appeal to people were exactly the attributes that I wanted in a pet product. By creating Haute Dog Bath Buffers, we were able to develop an entirely separate and independent brand, in a brand new field. We diversified our products and opened up new retail and distribution avenues without the risk of self-competition or forcing any existing products into premature obsolescence.
GCI: What's the consumer appeal of the pet care segment, and who is buying such products?
Elaine Binder: The appeal of this particular market is its size and eagerness to accept good new products. Dog lovers want the best for their animals. They are informed and enthusiastic, and they tend to be quite product-savvy. If you have a good product, they'll recognize it, and you don't have to reinvent the wheel explaining your formulations to them. The market isn't easily defined, and there really is no typical dog owner. Everyone with a dog is a potential customer for flea powders and preventatives, shampoos, breath remedies... the whole gamut of pet care, whether they make regular or just occasional purchasers. They also tend to cross traditional product lines. A cost-conscious dog owner who shops by price will occasionally make the leap to ultra-pampering, high-end products and vice versa. The market is also diverse in terms of retail outlets. Dog products are sold everywhere from the most exclusive canine and human spas, to department and specialty stores and boutiques, supermarkets and chain stores. An exceptional product at a good price point can find its way along that entire highway. We designed Haute Dog to have a lot of marketing flexibility and potential. The price is an affordable $5.99, but the ingredients are high-end, and the formula is designed to give someone's pampered pet a beautiful coat, clean and healthy skin, an appealing fragrance and as angst-free a bathing experience as possible. We can present Haute Dog at every level without any tweaking or changing the product, the formula or the design.
GCI: What are some challenges that your company has encountered regarding expanding into pet care?
Elaine Binder: We wanted a pet-friendly product that was easy for humans to use. We explored a variety of shapes and sizes before hitting on one that was so obvious and so perfect, we almost overlooked it. The traditional dog biscuit bone shape glides off the animal's back easily, provides a good handhold for the human and gives us sufficient size to infuse enough ingredients for a cost-effective number of uses. Once we developed a dog-appropriate formula and settled on the appropriate design, we were able to use our existing retail and distribution contacts to open a few doors for us.
GCI: What are the best retail channels for selling/distributing pet care products?
Elaine Binder: The biggest chunk of sales comes from the chain stores. Discount stores, the big multi-purpose drug chains and discount pet suppliers such as PetCo and PetSmart represent the largest block of sales potential. But pet products are also being seen more and more frequently where personal grooming products for people are sold. Spas and salons have pet sections, almost like "mommy and me collections." If the product is appropriate, any shop like Sephora could someday be a potential retailer. Right now, we are focusing our sights on the chain stores, pet stores and pet grooming/boarding facilities. Once we open up this relatively new area for us, we can explore more creative placements.
GCI: What regions of the world are the most lucrative for brands selling pet care?
Elaine Binder: Right now, we aren't looking beyond the North American marketplace. This is our first venture outside of personal grooming, and we're viewing it as a learning experience. With our personal care products, we used trade shows and international distribution networks to place our products in the global marketplace. Europe is probably equal to the U.S. and Canada in terms of pet obsession. Going by the statistics alone, you see that the global market is tremendous. There are about 43 million dog owning households in the U.S. and about 78 million pet dogs. In the U.K., half of the population owns at least one dog, accounting for about 8 million animals. The French and Spanish are famous for their affection for their dogs. Even in Japan, the hunger for dog companionship is so great that space-challenged urbanites go to "rent-a-pet" centers where they hire dogs for a day's worth of companionship. We're going to focus on Europe, the U.K. and the North America as our target markets. Given their size and their growth, they should keep us busy for a good while.
GCI: What types of ingredients and fragrances are best (or worst) for pet care products?
Elaine Binder: I prefer simplicity when it comes to grooming products. Dogs have surprisingly sensitive skin. Aloe vera is a soother, it helps reduce hot spots, it's a skin and coat conditioner and it moisturizes and promotes healing. Tea tree oil is a very effective antiseptic and antifungal ingredient. We were aware that there's some talk about tea tree oil being toxic, but this is simply not correct if you are dealing in appropriate doses. Like most things, too much of a good thing can be bad. Tea tree oil is effective at very small volumes, so we are absolutely within the safety range. There's simply not enough of the tea tree oil in our product to produce a harmful reaction, even if your dog were to eat the Haute Dog, which we do not recommend, by the way. In terms of other ingredients, it's important to remember that they should be pH-balanced for that particular animal. Harsh soaps are out; they'll dry out the coat, irritate the skin and burn the eyes. A gentle gel like the one used in Haute Dog is easier on the animal, cleans the fur and skin thoroughly without drying, and will result in less stress for the bather and the bathed. Human shampoos aren't made for dogs and should never be used on a pet. Detergents and dishwashing liquids are also inappropriate.
GCI: What are the marketing claims you offer for these pet bath and body care products to address their health or wellness issues?
Elaine Binder: Haute Dog is not a health product per se, but it will promote a dog's overall comfort and wellness. By reducing his risk of fungus, skin irritations and infections, hot spots and other common, painful and annoying conditions, you have a happier and overall, a healthier dog. Haute Dog is not a treatment for dogs with damaged skin or severe problems like mange or ringworm, but it will prevent these problems and it will also keep the dog smelling fresh, looking its best. A clean dog makes a better companion and is less susceptible to illness and problems.
GCI: What makes your pet care bath and body products stand out from competitors?
Elaine Binder: Haute Dog is the only all-in-one puppy buffer. The doggy biscuit shape is designed for easy holding and easy application. You don't need to juggle a bottle of shampoo in one hand, the washcloth or shower hose in the other hand, while trying to hold on to a slippery and eager to escape wet dog at the same time. Everything needed to shampoo, condition and protect the skin and coat are already infused into the Bath Buffer sponge. You don't have to squirt liquids on the dog, struggle to keep suds out of its eyes, nose and mouth, or risk spilling your shampoo and conditioners. All you do is get the dog in place, add water and hold the dog securely by its collar while gliding the Bath Buffer over him with the other—a quick rinse and it's over. It's not just the convenience of use or the excellent formula that makes this such a unique new product; it's how easy it is on the animal. Nothing else is as stress-free, and nothing else has that essential all-in-one formula.
GCI: Are there products available in the market now for more "exotic" pets other than just cats and dogs?
Elaine Binder: Right now we are focusing on the Haute Dog. With the tremendous market in the U.S., and a global market that's expanding even as we speak, it will keep our hands full as we change the way the world thinks about dog washing. We are going to revolutionize that entire concept—no more cartoons about angry, snarling dogs, dripping with wet soap, and one or two struggling humans trying to get the job done. We're going to show the world that dog washing can be trauma-free, fast and if not exactly fun, at least an acceptable experience for dog and mankind alike. After that, who knows? Why not introduce Haute Ferret or Spongeables for Horses?
GCI: What are some innovative avenues you foresee pet care possibly heading into in the future?
Elaine Binder: Spongeables LLC's proprietary infusion process is so adaptable that there is almost no direction we couldn't take. All of the areas you mention are possible. We can envision medicated Haute Dogs with specific pharmaceutical formulas, or Haute Dog with herbal flea repellant formulas. Products can be created for specific breed requirements, long or short-haired animals, show animals who require the ultimate in coat and skin conditioning, even age-appropriate products for new born pups to elderly pets. Sunscreen products are about to become very important to all pet owners, as they become aware of the risk of skin cancer for pets, particularly light-colored dogs. The Haute Dog sponge matrix makes application and dosage easy. Unlike liquids that can spill or splash, the sponge application is pretty much foolproof, whether you are applying medication on a dog with compromised skin, or sunscreen on your little Chihuahua. Products can be made according to animal size, special needs, for over the counter or pharmaceutical products, for premium or mass market needs. It's an all-encompassing format.
GCI: What other thoughts do you have that you'd like to share with GCI magazine's readers?
Elaine Binder: We have a revolutionary delivery system with our infusion technology. Spongeables and Spongelle are designed to transform the way people think about the morning shower. By adding special skin care ingredients to moisturize, protect, rejuvenate and repair the skin, a massaging/exfoliating texture, special fragrance blends and luxurious lather, combined with a cleansing gel all-in-one, we've created a better, more efficient, and more pleasing way to bathe. We are now bringing this same technology to pet care, to establish better, more efficient and more pet-friendly ways to accomplish any number of pet care and pet grooming requirements, from the simple bath to beyond. Taking it one step further, there is no limit to the number of established routines Spongeables' technology can transform. In terms of personal grooming, we have already launched our body buffers around the world and have recently introduced two new products, one for hands and one for feet. We're exploring a variety of cosmeceutical possibilities, from self-tanning to cellulite treatments. Beyond personal grooming, the technology has potential applications anywhere from household cleaning uses to automotive products, industrial uses. We call our Spongeables concept "Beyond Cleansing" and, quite literally, that's where we envision taking our product.
Editor's note: For more information on growing opportunities in the pet care market, read GCI magazine's November 2008 feature, "Pet Care Pedigree."


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Materials: Numerar Kitchen top, Old Expedit 2×4 Bookcase
Description: An old Expedit 2×4 bookcase destined for the recycling yard was "recycled" after lots of inspiration from this site.
The requirements/ functionality that led to this…
Any self respecting mountain biker would proudly attach bragging rights to the numerous clutter amassed over the years of riding. But dealing with the eyesore on a day to day basis is just a bit too much for me. My tools and small parts has been squared away but big bulky items like bike frames and wheels has been the problem.
Moreover with the bike/toyroom is in the middle of the apartment keeping things neat is important. Of course there is also my multifunction-flush-fit-everything fetish.
I listed down all the things needed…
~ Want a standing workstation that can standalone by itself but can easily incorporate expansion later
~ Want a bike parts light repair area/ putter workstation that will double up for working with laptop
~ Want to hide or store away neatly rims/ wheels and spare frames. This was the biggest challenge.
~ Don't want to spend a fortune.
~ Don't need a a bombproof bench (but of course something still solid enough).
Thus with some planning on Google Sketch was born… Anvil's Hidden Bike Frame Crouching Rims" Storage/Display Workstation
(details on the "display" part is still in the works with some shelving/ lighting on the recessed wall behind)
The hack on the Expedit is minor (but lots of work with manual woodworking tools). Shortening the width by ~1cm and reconfiguring the shelving in order to fit. A base was built from leftovers in my kitchen renovation. The only expensive part was the Numera Oak kitchen top… but I figured it is still hell of a huge saving if I have bought just some industrial workbench.
The whole setup is far from finished at this point. MDF boards would be covering up the back so the bike frame storage area will be totally hidden. Closing up to dust proof/ insect proofing etc… More to come.
See more of the Expedit bike parts storage.
~ Den, Singapore


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You are welcome to use the Linux-IrDA mailing list for posting questions, answers, bug-reports, patches, suggestions and comments about Linux-IrDA. Please note that mailinglist doesn't accept mail from non-subscribers. This is to provide high signal-noise ratio and avoid spam. For subscribing and unsubscribing point your browser to irda-users and here you will find Linux-IrDA mailing list control page. Read on "Subscribing to Linux-IrDA" section and fill email address field and password field (twice). Then press "Subscribe" button.
To post a message to all the list members, send email to <email@example.com>. Before asking questions consider this as a last resort after reading the documentation and searching Google or the search engine of your choice. Please check the archive for answers to your questions also. It will be much easier quicker to help you, if you provide some information. Please include the output of:
uname -a cat /proc/net/irda/discovery setserial -g -a /dev/ttyS* findchip irdadump
and of course any error messages, and the relevant parts of dmesg. Please make also sure you provide some information about IrDA support in the BIOS and the Linux distribution you are using.


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Last year, Los Angeles decided to replace its high-pressure sodium streetlights, which are know for their distinctive yellow hue, with new, blue-tinted LED's. The new streetlights might have a profound effect on at least one local industry.
All of those LEDs, with their new urban color scheme, will dramatically change how the city appears on camera, thus giving Los Angeles a brand new look in the age of digital filmmaking. As Dave Kendricken writes for No Film School, "Hollywood will never look the same."
Kendricken specifically uses Michael Mann's 2004 film Collateral as his example of a movie that relied heavily on the depiction of Los Angeles at night. Mann deliberately set the film in L.A.—actually relocating it to L.A. from NYC, where it was originally going to be filmed—not only due to the narrative mechanics of the screenplay but because of the particular color tones of the city's nocturnal streetscape and how they would appear when shot with digital cameras.
Mann's well-known urban aesthetic, and his propensity for shooting films digitally, thus came together in Los Angeles under the unlikely banner of the city's antiquated streetlight infrastructure.
Surely, though, nothing is really being lost in this transition to LEDs? Filmmakers and photographers can simply fake the old color scheme in post-production—after all, that's what things like Photoshop are for.
Not so fast, Kendricken warns.
As he points out, the color effects of LEDs are not, in fact, easy to mask. "The interesting thing about non-tungsten artificial light sources," Kendricken writes, "is that they often produce a non-continuous or incomplete spectral output. This can affect the appearance of certain colors under that output. More simply, you can't really put colors back in that weren't there to begin with, even by gelling such a light source or color correcting in post."
As such, he suggests, the switch to LED really is a historic change for the visual definition of Los Angeles—so much so (and this is my comment, not Kendricken's) that we might someday find ourselves seriously arguing over whether a city's artificial lights, due to their unique color scheme, could be justifiably subject to historic preservation laws.
After all, Kendricken adds, "In a sense, every night exterior L.A.-shot film previous to this change is rendered a sort of anthropological artifact, an historical document of obsolete urban infrastructure."
The implication is that every shot of Los Angeles prior to the LED turnover will soon be a valuable historic document, capturing the city in a light that will now be lost forever, its electrical signature seen in the color schemes of every old film and photograph.
Of course, this transition to LED streetlights is also happening in New York City, and other major cities around the world (where there are already intriguing mis-matches between urban lighting and personal photography equipment) will soon begin using LEDs for their environmental impact and cost.
In other words, the cinematic effects of LEDs will be seen elsewhere—meaning that, if we want to change the film industry then, ironically, one of the fastest and most all-encompassing ways to do so is to change how our cities are lit.
Briefly, one more issue—something not raised by Kendricken but nonetheless interesting to mention—is the effect that various artificial lighting schemes and colors have on human neurology. Think of recent research, for example, into how blue-tinted light sources like computer screens and handheld devices can lead to insomnia and disrupt circadian rhythms; this is the premise of f.lux, for example, an app for automatically redshifting, so to speak, the hue of your computer monitor.
I mention this simply because the specter of an all-LED urban lighting scheme raises the horror-movie-like possibility of a kind of city-wide neurological accident as the wrong color choice is inadvertently installed across the entire metropolis, leading to sleeplessness, shortness of attention span, and irritability, its citizens wandering around at night, sullen, introverted, and plagued with insomnia, being slowly driven insane by the streetlights casting blue-tinted shadows all around them…
In any case, Dave Kendricken has a more realistic take on what this means for filmmakers, and his write-up shouldn't be missed.
Via Gizmodo


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Hi, Thank you for visiting T J DANES RESCUE.
We rescue & re-home Great Danes who are in need of a new furever home.
We are not a kennels or a sanctuary as we have a network of foster homes across the UK where Great Danes are placed for assessment, we do not buy or sell any animals.
Staffed entirely by volunteers that receive no financial reward at all.
The Great Danes that we rescue are assessed, vet checked & cared for utilising our network of experienced foster homes across the United Kingdom before they are available for re-homing.
If you feel that you could offer a foster home or a furever home please contact us.
Our terms and conditions of adoption & fostering are available on request.


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Fracked Nation
Fracked Nation
TJ Glauthier, Former Deputy U.S. Secretary of Energy; former board member, Union Drilling
Mark Zoback, Professor, Stanford University School of Earth Sciences
Kassie Siegel, Senior Counsel, Climate Law Institute Director
With a thriving natural gas market in the U.S., oil and energy companies are in a race for fracking rights across the country. The fracking bonanza has led to concern about the oversight of hydraulic fracturing practices. Some states, including Vermont, have reacted by banning fracking altogether until further research is done. Others are working to create regulations as fracking continues apace. Will fracking bolster U.S. economic competitiveness? What are the environmental impacts? How is fracking challenging the status quo in American energy?
Time: 5-6 p.m. program
Fracking California
Bill Allayaud, California Director of Governmental Affairs, Environmental Working Group
Mark Nechodom, Director, California's Department of Conservation
Steve Craig, Former Director, Ventana Conservation and Land Trust; Olive Rancher, Monterey County
Dave Quast, California State Director, Energy in Depth
Tempting oil reserves trapped in California shale are driving a fracking boom in California. The federal government has started auctioning off leases on public lands with fracking access to the highly anticipated Monterey Shale oil reserves. Energy suppliers and proponents say fracking will provide more affordable American energy. Agricultural interests are concerned about water supply and contamination. Environmental groups are suing California to regulate the hydraulic fracturing industry. Will the new California fracking regulations make fracking safer and remove the mystery from the practice? How could fracking impact California's economy?
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m. program
Location: SF Club Office
Cost: $45 standard, $25 members, $7 students (with a valid ID). Includes both programs.
Also know: The speakers and audience will be videotaped for future broadcast on the Climate One TV show on KRCB TV 22 on Comcast and DirecTV.


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Mar 16, 2010
Nassif Ghoussoub to Receive 2010 David Borwein Distinguished Career Award
Prof. Nassif Ghoussoub
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) is pleased to announce that Nassif Ghoussoub from the University of British Columbia is the recipient of the 2010 CMS David Borwein Distinguished Career Award in recognition of his exceptional, broad, and continued contribution to mathematics. Nassif Ghoussoub will receive his award at the Society's 2010 Winter Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The David Borwein Distinguished Career Award was established in 2004 to recognize individuals who have made a sustained outstanding contribution to the advancement of mathematics. David Borwein is a distinguished mathematician and former CMS President. The first award was presented in 2006 and includes a sculpture donated by the Borwein Family.
In announcing the award, Tony Lau, President of the CMS, noted that "Nassif is a world class mathematician who, over his career, has made significant contributions on the domestic and international stage. This award recognizes both his substantive contribution to the mathematics community as well as the excellence of his research."
"Nassif Ghoussoub is an incredibly talented and determined mathematician who has made a real difference in mathematics," noted David Brydges, Chair of the CMS Research Committee. "His research has been significantly influential in such areas as partial differential equations, variational methods, critical point theory, infinite dimensional Morse theory, geometrical Banach space theory, and optimization. At the same time he was the driving force behind the creation of the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences, the Banff International Research Station, and the MITACS Network of Centres of Excellence."
Dr. Ghoussoub's seminal 1993 Cambridge Press monograph "Duality and Perturbation Methods in Critical Point Theory" introduced many ideas and methods from his own then-recent work into the calculus of variations, including the far-reaching min-max principle involving duality and a Morse theory "up to epsilon" to deal with borderline variational problems. The influence of this book in the field, and in particular on the recent advances in Hartree-Fock-Dirac theory by Esteban and Sere and related problems in quantum chemistry by Lewin, can hardly be overestimated.
Among the highlights of his one hundred plus papers is his resolution with Gui of De Giorgi's Conjecture, a long-standing open problem, first with a complete solution in dimension two, followed by major advances in dimensions up to five. This work is described as a "magnificent breakthrough", involving original ideas with other applications to the study of elliptic partial differential equations.
Dr. Ghoussoub's work with his students M. Agueh and X. Kang on geometric inequalities is described as a "gem". Using new ideas on the border between mathematical physics and partial differential equations, they have developed a unified framework for several important geometric inequalities based on a general comparison principle between different states of interacting gases, and discovered a remarkably encompassing energy-entropy duality formula.
Following his solution with his student L. Tzou in 2004 of a 1976 conjecture of Brezis and Ekeland, Dr. Ghoussoub proceeded to develop with his students A. Moameni and R. Zárate Sáis, a new and far-reaching approach to the calculus of variations. His self-dual variational principles exploit algebraic symmetries of newly devised energy functionals to prove existence results for a wide range of partial differential equations not covered by standard Euler-Lagrange theory. A compendium of his work on the subject appeared in a 2008 Springer-Verlag monograph entitled "Selfdual Partial Differential Systems and their Variational Principles. ".
In the last five years, Dr Ghoussoub and his students, C. Cowan, A. Moradifam, and Y. Guo, and his postdoctoral fellows P. Esposito, and D. Cassani, developed in a series of papers a rigorous mathematical analysis of various partial differential equations proposed by engineers and applied mathematicians for Electrostatic Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS). Combining electronics with miniature-size mechanical devices, these are essential components of the modern technology that is currently driving telecommunications, commercial systems, biomedical engineering, and space exploration. The models provided an extremely rich source of mathematical problems, phenomena and structure, which Dr. Ghoussoub addresses in a book on the subject that was published in 2010 by the American Mathematical Society as a Courant Institute Lecture Notes.
Nassif Ghoussoub obtained his Doctorat d'état in 1979 from the Université Pierre et Marie Curie in Paris, France and is currently a Professor of Mathematics and a Distinguished University Scholar at the University of British Columbia. His academic distinctions include the Coxeter-James Prize (1990), a UBC Killam Senior Research Fellowship (1992), the Jeffrey-Williams Prize (2007), and the UBC Faculty of Science Achievement Award for outstanding service and leadership (2007). He was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1993, and was awarded a 2004 Doctorat Honoris Causa from the Université Paris-Dauphine.
Nassif is currently serving on the Killam committee at the Canada Council for the Arts (2007-2010). He was vice-president of the Canadian Mathematical Society from 1994 to 1996, and editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Mathematics from 1993 to 2002. He was the founding Director of the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) for 1996-2003, a co-founder of the MITACS Network of Centres of Excellence (Mathematics of Information Technology & Complex Systems) and a member of its Board of Directors (1998-2003). He currently serves on the Board of Governors of the University of British Columbia and is the scientific director of the Banff International Research Station (BIRS) that he founded in 2003.
For more information, contact:
Dr. David Brydges, Chair CMS Research Committee Department of Mathematics University of British Columbia Vancouver, BC Tel: (604) 822-3620 E-mail: email@example.com |
or |
Dr. Anthony To-Ming Lau, President Canadian Mathematical Society Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences University of Alberta Edmonton, AB Tel: (780) 492-3396 E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com |
About the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS)
The CMS is the main national organization whose goal is to promote and advance the discovery, learning, and application of mathematics. The Society's activities cover the whole spectrum of mathematics including: scientific meetings, research publications, and the promotion of excellence in mathematics education at all levels. The CMS annually sponsors mathematics awards and prizes that recognize outstanding achievements.


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Results 1 to 2 of 2
12-03-2014, 08:43 PM #1Regular 1st Stringer
- Join Date
- Mar 2013
- Posts
- 493
Markakis Signs 4 Year $44m Deal with the Braves
Make no mistake, this is Angelos striking again. He offered Jimenez a rare (for Angelos) four year deal last year, it didn't work out, and now he has decided he won't offer anyone else a four year deal. Cruz he says it's because of his age. He couldn't use that excuse with Markakis, so he cited phantom health concerns.
People can blame Duquette, but this is classic Angelos. He doesn't want to spend the money, and he doesn't want to offer anyone long-term deals. That would be true under any GM who works with Angelos. Duquette has so far proven much better at constructing reasonably good teams within Angelos' constraints than any other Orioles GM in recent memory, but it was only a matter of time before ran headfirst into the Angelos cap and the Angelos CBA, those two unique restrictions that only exist for the Orioles and not for any of our rivals because our owner is a penny pinching- well, I can't really complete that sentence because the chances of it staying up on a family blog owned by a company that Angelos has a big financial stake in are not favorable. But you guys can fill in the blank.
Angelos has ruined this organization. We've lost a whole generation of fans. We suffered through 14 straight losing seasons. Some long-time Orioles fans from the Washington DC area and border regions between Baltimore and DC who otherwise would have stayed loyal to the Orioles defected to the Nationals and probably aren't coming back. And, finally, when we looked to be turning the corner, Angelos screws us again. Worst Orioles owner of all time. I know some might argue that Eli Jacobs was, but, remember Eli Jacobs had a low payroll because he actually could not afford a competitive one- that's why the Orioles wound being sold in a bankruptcy auction. Angelos can afford it, and also has been, between his asbestos fortune, revenue from Camden Yards, and now his MASN money. Angelos just wants to squeeze every dime out of a loyal Orioles fan base and offer the bare minimum payroll that will prevent him from losing the fan base so completely that he can't make money off us anymore.
This is unacceptable. I will not be buying any Orioles merchandise until Angelos sells the team or otherwise relinquishes ownership.
You guys can argue the merits of this or that move, but there's a pattern here, and many of the arguments for not re-signing Cruz contradict the arguments for not re-signing Markakis and vice-versa. The one guy we said is too old, even though he led the league in home runs, the other guy we say doesn't hit for power, even though he's only 30 or 31 years old, won a gold glove this year, and is great at getting on-base and drawing walks on a team that really needs those attributes. Yeah, apparently the only guy we'd give a four year deal to is a non-steroid using version of Barry Bonds, though of course a guy like that would command way more than four years and way more money, so we wouldn't actually sign that guy either.
What Angelos needs to realize is that baseball entails some risk. You sign players to big money contracts, and maybe out 1 in 3 or 2 in 3 work out. That doesn't mean you're allowed to stop signing big money contracts. The expense of some big deals not working out is part of the expense of owning a team. If you're not winning to pay it, don't buy a team. If you were willing to pay it and then change your mind, sell the team. Stop torturing your fan base.
I don't care how much Angelos likes swimming Scrooge McDuck style in that big vault of gold coins he probably converts the MASN money into, he needs to sell.
Re: Markakis Signs 4 Year $44m Deal with the Braves
Now that his deal with the Braves is ending - and the O's are back in turmoil again - should they seek him? - would he accept a O's offer?


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TechRadar Verdict
The Latitude is no PC replacement, but it is handy as a second screen for social feeds or email. It's handy in meetings, too. It's particularly good for mobile working when you only need to check and write emails or give a quick presentation. The battery life is simply stunning.
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Full-fat Windows 8
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Removeable battery
- +
SSD storage
- +
2GB of RAM
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Limited performance
- -
Small SSD
Why you can trust TechRadar
The Dell Latitude 10 is an Intel Atom powered tablet that's designed as a robust device that can be used both with a keyboard and mouse (there's a USB port on the side) or as a standard slate tablet.
It runs full-blown Windows 8, unlike Microsoft's Surface RT, which runs the cut-down Windows RT that can't run full desktop apps. The Latitude 10, however, is completely happy with most desktop apps, but it's hardly a powerhouse, with a dual-core 1.8GHz Atom under the hood.
Performance is fine for basic use, such as sending mails and flicking through tweets, and the 2GB of memory is a sign that this isn't a device intended for powerhouse computing. Speed is also helped by the use of a SSD drive, though this means that storage space is compromised - it's strictly in the tablet territory.
However, more intensive desktop work can be a trifle slow. And that's a shame, because the Latitude 10 is worth the £450/$530 that the basic 32GB model costs - in relation to many tablets, especially other Intel Atom-based Windows 8 devices such as the HP Envy X2, although that does come with 64GB of storage and a detachable keyboard as standard.
Storage woes
Storage is one of the big challenges with Windows 8 tablets and the 32GB provided with the entry-level Latitude 10 doesn't provide a huge amount of headroom over and above a full Windows 8 install and you'll quickly find that your drive has filled up. A full PC replacement this definitely isn't.
And while Windows 8-style apps are usually pretty lean in terms of size, once you've downloaded a few of them, you'll soon find yourself running out of room to store them all. However, a 64 GB version is available, which also features a swappable battery (it's this version Dell sent us for review).
The standard battery is a two cell 3,880mAh version, while there's a whopping 7,760mAh four-cell version you can choose. The swappable battery could be really useful, although you might not need it - even when stressed we got around seven to eight hours from the standard battery, while on idle you can expect it to last well into the teens in terms of hours. This is where the lower power Atom processor has a distinct benefit.
As you might have guessed from the name, the Latitude 10 boasts a 10.1-inch display. It has a reasonable resolution at 1,366 x 768, though if you've used one you'll really notice the difference compared to a retina display iPad, for example. It's certainly great for use with Windows 8 apps and you can swipe between things easily.
Business focused
The Latitude 10 is a trifle lighter than the iPad at 648g and, as such, feels like a really pleasant device to use in the hand, with a smooth, tactile finish that won't fingerprint like many glossy finishes. You can have any colour, as long as it's black.
A dock is also available for the Latitude 10 that offers a really solid charging stand for your tablet as well as Gigabit Ethernet, HDMI and extra USB ports. A soft case is also available for it, too.
The dock hints at the business-orientated use for this device - Latitude is Dell's business mobile computing brand, after all. The business connection isn't just in terms of the name and robust appearance. The 64GB model boasts a TPM (Trusted Platform Module), which is a business-orientated feature designed to prevent unauthorised changes to the operating system.
So can we recommend the Latitude 10? Yes, but with one key caveat - it is not a laptop replacement if you do intensive tasks of any sort. A workhorse PC it is not. We certainly wouldn't recommend its use on a desk as a PC replacement, but it is handy as a second desk screen for keeping an eye on social feeds or email. And it's handy in meetings, too.
But what it is great for is keeping in touch when you're out of the office, when you only need to check and write emails or give a quick presentation. The battery life is simply stunning.
But when buying a tablet at this price point, there are still better options out there, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro. It's a full-blown Windows 8 tablet, too (albeit with Windows 8 Pro) but it features a Core i5 processor instead. That means it really is capable of being your main display (it does still only come with 32GB of storage, however). It is alot more expensive than the Latitude 10, but the investment is worth it.
Dan (Twitter, Google+) is TechRadar's Former Deputy Editor and is now in charge at our sister site T3.com. Covering all things computing, internet and mobile he's a seasoned regular at major tech shows such as CES, IFA and Mobile World Congress. Dan has also been a tech expert for many outlets including BBC Radio 4, 5Live and the World Service, The Sun and ITV News.


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By CNN Political Unit
(CNN) — Rep. Jason Chaffetz reiterated Tuesday that the impeachment of President Barack Obama is possible as the White House faces scrutiny over its role in responding to the terror attack on a U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya.
"Look, it's not something I'm seeking," the Republican congressman from Utah said on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer." "It's not the endgame; it's not what we're playing for. I was simply asked, is that within the realm of possibilities, and I would say 'yes.' I'm not willing to take that off the table. But that's certainly not what we're striving for."
Chaffetz first said impeachment could be an option in an interview published Monday by the Salt Lake Tribune.
"We want truth," Chaffetz said on CNN. "We want to have the president do what he has said he would always do, and that is, be open and transparent. Thus far, the White House has not done that."
Republicans' accusations of an administration-led coverup in the immediate aftermath of the Benghazi attack were fueled last week by the release of internal e-mails showing that top administration officials scrubbed any mention of al Qaeda from talking points given to members of Congress and Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
The unclassified talking points have become a political flashpoint in a long-running battle between the administration and Republicans, who say that officials knew the attack was a planned terror operation while they were telling the public it was an act of violence that grew out of a demonstration over an anti-Islam video.
Asked Tuesday about critics who compare the controversy to Watergate, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday that "people who make those kind of comparisons need to check their history."
"What we have here with one issue, in Benghazi, is so clearly … a political sideshow, a deliberate effort to politicize a tragedy," Carney said, echoing comments that Obama made Monday.
Chaffetz, who sits on the House Oversight Committee that heard testimony last week from three State Department employees who were dissatisfied with the administration's handling of the attack, said the White House is simply trying to "demoralize" and take out the messenger.
"We heard from three very credible witnesses with more than 70 years of public service saying that what happened on the ground versus what the White House would lead us to believe were two totally different things," he said.
The House of Representatives has the power to impeach a federal official by handing down charges called articles of impeachment. The Senate then tries the official and determines whether to remove the individual from office. For example, President Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 over perjury allegations stemming from his sexual relationship with a White House intern, but the Senate acquitted him.
CNN's Ashley Killough and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report.
™ & © 2013 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.


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The team says Kubiak became dizzy and light-headed Sunday night, causing him to stop and kneel down on his way off the sidelines. He was admitted to a hospital in the Medical Center.
After multiple tests and diagnostics, it was concluded Kubiak experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA). He is expected to make a full recovery.
It has not been determined when Kubiak will return to Reliant Stadium to resume his head coaching duties.
Statement from Houston Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak:
"I want to thank my family, the McNair family, the Texans organization, the doctors and staff at Houston Methodist and the entire Houston community for all the love and support we have received over the past three days. I've been through an ordeal and my focus now is to get back to good health. Doctors have told me I will make a full recovery but we have not determined when I will be cleared to return to the office. Again, thank you for the support and concern."
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.


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patterns > Laura Chau's Website and 1 more...
> Ashworth Scarf
Ashworth Scarf
The only word for this scarf is luscious! Soft, silky, luxurious laceweight cashmere gives an ethereal halo to this light and cozy fabric. If cashmere isn't in your budget, find the softest merino or alpaca laceweight you can!
Chic oversized cables alternate sides to produce a reversible fabric and provide maximum punch for minimal effort! The fabric scrunches and drapes in fantastic ways. It's the scarf you'll keep reaching for over and over.
Technical Editing by Jaya Purswani
One - approximately 60" x 12" / 152cm x 30cm, blocked. Size is adjustable.
Laceweight yarn, approximately 1200 yards / 1097m
Each additional 400 yards / 365m will add approximately 20" / 51cm to the length of the scarf.
Shown in Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 2-ply. Colour: Silver Pearl (100% cashmere/400 yds per 55g skein), 3 skeins.
US 2 / 2.75mm circular or straight needles cable needle of similar diameter (or a double pointed needle)
2 stitch markers
2-page PDF contains full colour photographs and a tutorial on the Outline Stitch Bind Off.
2262 projects
stashed 2317 times
- First published: August 2010
- Page created: August 9, 2010
- Last updated: March 14, 2023 …
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Though using muffin mix for this bakes, the result of the texture actually tasted more like cupcakes to me. It is very moist and fluffy and not overly sweet though I've added extra white chocolates in the batter.
Creations from Peng's Kitchen
Cherry & White Chocolate Muffins
Ingredient (yields 10 small muffins)
- 250gm golden muffin mix
- 2 eggs
- 60ml unsweetened soy milk
- 60ml melted butter
- 100gm pitted fresh cherries, chopped
- 50gm white chocolate, chopped
- Combine muffin mix, eggs & soy milk in a mixing bowl.
- Beat on low speed for 1 min. Increase speed to high and beat for another 5mins.
- Pour in melted butter and beat for 1 min.
- Toss chopped cherries with some muffin mix flour (to prevent sinking). Flour into batter together with white chocolates.
- Spoon batter into lined muffin cups and bake in preheated oven at 200 deg cel for 20mins until golden brown.
- Cool completely on wire rack. Decorate as desired.


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The Open Source Frets on Fire game gives you that Guitar Hero feeling on your computer without all the nasty paying money stuff first. Download the version for your platform – Mac, Linux, Windows supported – grab your keyboard like this…
…and rock. OK, so you won't look quite as cool as an air axe ninja, but apparently you can also hook it up to a Guitar Hero controller and your TV via a Media Center. Such ingenuity, eh?
Of course the real problem for Hero worshippers is the lack of all those lovingly played rocking cover tunes, but there's an internal song editor to make your own, and an import function for grabbing songs from…ahem…elsewhere. Nice project guys.
Where can I get more songs? A: While the in-game songs are admittely awesome, one does start craving for a little variety before long. Lucky for you there are a number of ways to get more tunes for the game: * Compose a new song with the game's built-in song editor. All you need is an OGG music file and some patience. There are some tools to help you out as well. * Go out and buy Guitar Hero™ 1 or 2 and use the built-in importer to bring the songs into the game. * Check out the songs on community sites such as Keyboards on Fire, FretsOnFire.net, FOF.Spain, etc. Once you have a new song downloaded, just extract it under the data/songs folder.


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InVivo's Jason Fowler Wins 2012 Ironman World Championship
InVivo's Jason Fowler Wins 2012 Ironman World Championship
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. (NVIV), a developer of groundbreaking technologies for the treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCI) and other neurotrauma conditions, today congratulates InVivo Therapeutics' sponsored athlete Jason Fowler on winning the 2012 Ironman 70.3 World Triathlon Championships in Las Vegas, NV.
Jason Fowler (Photo: Business Wire)
As a nationally ranked amateur motocross racer, Fowler was paralyzed from the chest down at the age of 17 as the result of a motorcycle accident. Following his accident Fowler remained an avid athlete, and has since completed 150 road races, 30 marathons, and 29 triathlons, and has won several local and national competitions including two World Championships. He also regularly volunteers his time to traumatically injured children and trains aspiring athletes.
Most recently, Fowler took first place in the 2012 Ironman 70.3 World Triathlon Championships in Las Vegas, NV. As a triathlete, Fowler competes conventionally in the swim and participates in the bike ride stage using a handcycle, and in the run portion using a racing wheelchair. Remarkably, the entire distance of the race is covered using only the strength and endurance of the upper body.
"Jason's commitment to his sport is only exceeded by his commitment to the spinal cord injury community," said Frank Reynolds, InVivo Chief Executive Officer. "We all know the importance of first responders at any emergency, but well after the doctors, nurses, and rehabilitation experts finish their work, Jason and his team at the Boston Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association arrive to teach patients how to adjust and adapt to a new set of possibilities for their lives. Jason is a Ironnman in every sense of the word."
To read more and see a great video about Jason, please visit: www.jasonfowlerracing.com/ and http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/12/05/paraplegic-athlete-from-belmont-crowned-iron-man-champion-of-world/.
About InVivo Therapeutics
InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp. is utilizing polymers as a platform technology to develop treatments to improve function in individuals paralyzed from traumatic spinal cord injuries. The company was founded in 2005 based on proprietary technology co-invented by Robert S. Langer, ScD. Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Joseph P. Vacanti, M.D., who is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. In 2011, the company earned the prestigious 2011 David F. Apple Award from the American Spinal Injury Association for its outstanding contribution to spinal cord injury medicine. The publicly traded company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more details, visit www.invivotherapeutics.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and the Company intends that such statements are subject to the safe harbor created thereby. These statements include, but are not limited to, those relating to the expected approval of the FDA to conduct human clinical trials for the Company's products, the expected commencement date of any approved human clinical trials, the expected size of the pilot study, the expectation that the scaffold product will be regulated under a HDE pathway, and the expected acceleration of commercialization of the Company's products resulting therefrom. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's ability to obtain FDA approval to conduct human clinical trials; whether the human clinical trials produce acceptable results; the Company's ability to develop, market and sell products based on its technology; the expected benefits and efficacy of the Company's products and technology in connection with spinal cord injuries; the availability of substantial additional funding for the Company to continue its operations and to conduct research and development, clinical studies and future product commercialization; and, the Company's business, research, product development, regulatory approval, marketing and distribution plans and strategies. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and subsequent filings with the SEC.
Forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date of this release. Subsequent events or circumstances occurring after such date may render these statements incomplete or out of date. The Company undertakes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update such statements.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20121224005051/en/
InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corp.
Lauren Mitarotondo, 617-863-5510
KEYWORDS: United States North America Massachusetts Nevada
The article InVivo's Jason Fowler Wins 2012 Ironman World Championship originally appeared on Fool.com.
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Ningbo Nord Machinery Co.,Ltd.
China pallet forks,forklift forks,hook pallet forks Manufacturer
Add: Room 1204,Tiantong nan road 577-39#,Yinzhou district,Ningbo 315100,China Tel: +86-574-88189478 E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
email@example.com email@example.com
Pallet Fork-801
Pallet Fork-802
Pallet Fork-803
Pallet Fork-804
Pallet Fork-805
Pallet Fork-806
Pallet Fork-807
Pallet Fork-808
Pallet Fork-809
Nord Engineering Machinery Co.,Ltd is located in Ningbo China.We has been engaged in producing pallet forks for many years. Our goal is to provide great prices on quality items while providing excellent service to our customers.
As you know,pallet fork are common equipment that help in transporting goods. Our range of products is very wide , as always, it offers a really good quality . All forks are adjustable, it is possible to lift every kind of pallet.
We also produce it according to your drawings,no matter what you need,we can supply to you.
So pls don't hesitate,let us put our expertise to work for you.
Trade Dept Add: Room 1204, Tiantong nan road 577-39#, Yinzhou District, Ningbo 315100, China Tel:086-574-88189478 ; Email: firstname.lastname@example.com email@example.com email@example.com


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As of the print date of the March 2010 issue, 2009 numbers were not available. That data is now available through Euromonitor International.
- The trend for bright, striking colors worn on the eyes has meant that consumers remained more open to experimenting with different eye products.
- The line between skin care and color cosmetics is becoming increasingly blurred.
- Brand domination of the color segment is changing, with an influx of budget products.
- Eastern Europe and Latin America should be high on the agenda of color brands.
- Lip products are booming in China, accounting for the majority of color cosmetics value sales: 52% in 2008.
- Due to the continuing social stigma surrounding male use of these typically female products, the Internet remains the prime channel for purchase in most other markets.
- A Halal standard, set for publication in summer 2010, should help to drive sales of cosmetics in devout Muslim countries, fostering color growth in the Middle East and Africa.
The credit crunch has not proved to be overly kind to sales of color cosmetics. Despite some still proclaiming the positive effects of the lipstick factor, the negative growth of most of the major beauty companies proves that the lipstick theory fell rather flat during the global recession this time around. Global growth in the segment slowed from 6% in 2007 to 4% in 2008* as consumers cut back on buying new products. To counteract consumer cuts in spending in the category, discounting, especially among mass brands, became rife in mature markets such as the U.S. and the U.K. This led to reductions in value sales.
Eye Color; Makeup Fairing Best
Eye color cosmetics and makeup (foundations and powders) both performed comparatively well, with eye products only dipping slightly in terms of growth to 6% in 2008 from 7% the previous year, according to Euromonitor International. The trend for bright, striking colors worn on the eyes has meant that consumers remained more open to experimenting with different eye products. Strong innovations in mascara also found no shortage of consumers willing to try these products out in the hope of achieving longer-looking lashes. Innovative products such as Lancôme's Oscillation vibrating mascara and Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes mascara, complete with ball-shaped wand, have helped to maintain consumer interest in the segment.
Facial makeup managed to register 5% value growth in 2008 in Western Europe, one of the most mature and recession-hit regions. This success is largely linked to the concept of facial color cosmetics being an extension of skin care in the minds of many female consumers. With many foundations now promising sun protection and antiaging benefits, the line between skin care and color cosmetics is becoming increasingly blurred.
Furthermore, due to the fear of buying a foundation that does not match skin tone, many consumers refused to trade down to less expensive products and continued to opt for premium or masstige-priced products, many of which now automatically match skin tone.
Mature Markets See Rise in Private Label Sales
Color cosmetics sales were particularly hard hit in key mature markets such as the U.S. and the U.K., where consumers shunned department stores and the lure of premium beauty counters. In the U.S., for example, sluggish value growth of just over 0.5% in 2008 in color cosmetics had strong implications for global growth of the category because the U.S. alone accounts for a 20% share of global color cosmetic value sales.
Although private label has accounted for a significant share of toiletry sales for many years, commanding a 12% share of bath and shower products in Western Europe in 2008, for example, way above the share of any single brand, color cosmetics has traditionally been one of the few areas in beauty that has traditionally been dominated by brands. This is changing, however, and now the industry is suddenly seeing an influx of budget products. In the U.K. alone, there have been several high-profile launches of low-cost makeup ranges. Primark is one of the few retailers that has not only stayed afloat during the recession but also increased its company sales. The retailer has dabbled in the beauty market for some time, with shower gel and body lotion sales, but in summer 2009, it dipped its toes into the color cosmetics market. Its new range includes mascara, eye liners, lip gloss and eye shadows, many priced as low as £1.
Despite these prices being low enough to make consumers question the quality, it seems, for now, that price alone could be enough to persuade consumers to try the products. Whether or not they keep coming back is a different matter, but many more women are willing to take a chance on less expensive products for the time being.
Stagnant Growth in Mature Markets Offset by Emerging Regions
Stagnant sales of color cosmetics in mature regions were offset, to an extent, by double-digit growth in emerging markets such as Eastern Europe and Latin America. With 10% and 11% value growth, respectively, in 2008, these regions should be high on the agenda of color cosmetics players in the coming year.
China's Outstanding Growth in Premium Color Cosmetics
China proved to be a bright spot for color cosmetics. The country's rapidly rising disposable income levels, love affair with prestige brands and mistrust of local products meant that premium-priced makeup outperformed mass products in terms of value growth in 2008 (15% for the former and 13% for the latter). As a result, French beauty retailer Sephora has seen a meteoric rise in value sales and outlet numbers in just three years. In 2005, the retailer began its entry into China's major cities, initially with just three stores. It now has 40, and plans to reach 100 by the end of 2010. As lipstick sales fell rather flat in many mature markets, lip products are booming in China, and accounted for 52%, or the majority of color cosmetics value sales in 2008. As color cosmetics are relatively new products for many Chinese women, especially those in rural areas and lower-tier cities, lipstick, which is the most basic product in overall color cosmetics, tends to be the first color cosmetic product for entry-stage female consumers living in these locations.
Russia's Double-digit Performance
Although Russia was far from immune to the global recession, the color cosmetics segment in the country still proved to be a key contributor to global sales in the category, with value growth of 11% in 2008, only a slight drop from 12% in 2007.
As in the Chinese market, lip products are by far the most popular type of color cosmetics in Russia, accounting for 39% of total color cosmetic sales in 2008. Consumer loyalty in Russian color cosmetics is extremely low, with only around 5% of women sticking with a single brand. The majority use an average of five different brands, which has helped to keep sales in the segment high.
Premium facial makeup put in a strong performance in the country, with growth of 14% in 2008. This development was underpinned by new launches of multi-functional products such as Faberlic's antiwrinkle Mineral Foundation and Giordani Gold Sublime's foundation with sun protection. There has been a noticeable switch to premium brands as many female consumers perceive them to be of a superior quality to mass facial makeup.
Men Still Reluctant When It Comes to Color Cosmetics
There has been much hype around male-specific color cosmetics, with high-profile launches such as YSL Touche Éclat for Men, which is on sale across select countries in Western Europe. Outré fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier first launched the premium-priced Le Male cosmetics range in October 2003, so the concept is nothing new. In Western markets, use is highest among younger males who are keen to emulate the "guyliner" look of rock stars such as Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz. Older generations remain almost totally averse to such products. Even men who are open to experimenting with male-specific color cosmetics are often only comfortable doing so when a product's packaging looks masculine. The design of Touche Éclat for men highlights this need for men's makeup to appear different to women's in order to convince men to purchase it.
The case of the Japanese market shows that it is possible to achieve a high level of color cosmetics penetration among men. It is nothing unusual for men to wear color cosmetics in the country because the androgynous look is fashionable and strongly favored by young males. Male-only beauty stores such as the Dandy House in Tokyo, where men are given makeup tips and beauty treatments, are commonplace. However, Japan is atypical in its cultural acceptance of males purchasing color cosmetics. Due to the continuing social stigma surrounding male use of these typically female products, the Internet remains the prime channel for purchase in most other markets. Recognizing this, brands such as Clinique, with its M Cover concealer, have made sure their male-specific color cosmetic products are available to purchase online. This also allows brands more opportunities to inform and educate men about products. Despite talk of male cosmetics moving into the mainstream, male makeup is likely to remain largely confined to the Web.
Halal Could Be Key for Future Growth
The market for halal beauty products is currently in its infancy, but the development of a global standard for halal cosmetics is currently underway. International Halal Integrity Alliance (IHI Alliance) is currently working on the standard, which is set for publication in summer 2010 and should help to drive sales of cosmetics in devout Muslim countries. In 2008, female per capita spend on color cosmetics was just $21 per year in Saudi Arabia, compared with $57 in the U.S., despite the two countries having similar disposable income levels. A globally recognized standard should help to instill more consumer confidence when buying halal products, and develop the currently very low penetration of color cosmetics in the Middle East and Africa.
Shift in Long-term Global Beauty Growth Drivers
The new interest in budget makeup brands in developed markets means that the current change in focus from premium to masstige and mass cosmetics could be a long-term trend if private label products are deemed by women to perform well.
As luxury cosmetics players have to adjust to the new mind-set of lower spending in the West, emerging regions—the BRIC nations, in particular—will be an increasingly attractive focus for brand owners. Rising disposable income levels and resultant growing interest in color cosmetics in these markets will be key growth drivers for the industry through 2013. Brands that should perform best in the long-term will be those with the ability to connect with untapped consumer segments and countries.
Carrie Lennard is a research analyst at Euromonitor International.


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Advanced Search
Facilities | News
As part of the new $65 million, 120,000 square foot Center for Student Services, Boston University has implemented an automated digital menu system in the complex's main dining hall.
Fresh Food Company at Marciano Commons is the university's new food court, replacing four older dining halls on the East Campus. The venue seats up to 1,000 guests and serves food form more than a dozen vendors. The Ronin digital menu system, from Wireless Ronin Technologies, was deployed in partnership with food service provider Aramark and displays day-part menus on large flat-panels around the complex using the company's RoninCast software.
According to Wireless Ronin, the new digital menu system integrates with the university's FoodPRO management system, dynamically displaying menu items and nutritional information depending on time of day and total items being offered at that time. The company anticipates the new system will reduce university labor costs by making it easier to quickly and dynamically display menu changes.
"Seamlessly integrating our digital menu solutions with Boston University's existing food management infrastructure was a key factor in securing this deployment," said Scott Koller, president and CEO of Wireless Ronin, in a prepared statement. "While this new facility has experienced a much larger draw of guests than originally estimated, the university has maintained its overall labor costs, some part of which may come from deploying the RoninCast software powered menu board system. This installation now serves as an ideal model for other universities around the nation looking to control costs while also improving their food service operations."
About the Author
Chris Riedel is a freelance writer based in Illinois. He can be reached here.
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Last week, Mrs. Koch and Dan accompanied our marketing director to the Statehouse for some meetings with elected officials.
When they peeked in to see the goings-on in the House, our local Representative, Sue Ellspermann, asked Mrs. Koch to say a few words.
Since it was off-the-cuff, there was no script. (Not even a few notes for a blog post.)
Happily, Representative Ed Clere posted an opinion piece about those brief yet poignant moments in his local paper:
Not everyone who spoke on the floor of the House last week was an elected official. In any given week, we typically hear from a number of Hoosiers from all walks of life. Before the state of the judiciary address, we heard from Pat Koch, whose family owns the Holiday World theme park. Her remarks are worth quoting:
"I usually don't ask permission to speak, but that was very kind. I am the cleaning lady at Holiday World, and I've enjoyed all of my 50 years there. Our park will celebrate its 65th year this summer, and we will do it without our firstborn, who left us in June, but we will carry on the family tradition of 65 years that Louis Koch began when he came there in 1946, that my husband, Bill Koch, who's been in this room many times, carried on and then our son Will and now our son Dan and Will's family."
Will Koch died last year at age 48, and his mother's voice wavered when she mentioned his passing.
She continued: "We know that our mission is not to be an amusement park or a theme park, but our mission is to serve people — to bring joy to people, to be a Mecca of love and respect, cleanliness, friendliness — all those good values that we keep and that we hold, and we're going to keep working at that year after year after year, and to train, mentor and to develop young people, who learn many, many skills. So we love what we do. We are very appreciative of all of you and the wonderful work you do. We are all servants, are we not? We are all here to serve. And if we do that well and make a difference, our world can be a better place. So thank you very, very much for this opportunity. Our family thanks you. Our Holiday World family thanks you. Come on down. I might give you a free pass."
With that, the chamber erupted in laughter and applause, and Mrs. Koch's son Dan, who was by her side, gestured to dismiss his mother's offer, which she quickly amended: "I promise free soft drinks." Of course, soft drinks are always free at Holiday World.
It was a light, funny conclusion to a poignant appearance by the matriarch of a great Hoosier family business.
Several representatives added their remarks. Among them was Rep. Bruce Borders, a Republican from Jasonville, a small city west of Bloomington. The House is full of colorful characters, and Rep. Borders is no exception. The insurance agent, former mayor and Elvis impersonator joked about his late friend's lobbying efforts: "Whenever he would talk to me about legislation, we were usually like 15 stories high."
I'm expecting some highflying debate this session, but after a good start, there's no reason it has to become a roller coaster. Hoosiers deserve a smoother ride.


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Home >
News & Policies >
April 2004
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 28, 2004
Statement by the President
Last September, I called on the United Nations Security Council to urge the cooperative action of all U.N. members against the illicit trafficking of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. I commend today's unanimous Security Council resolution, which answers that call.
It now remains for all member states to act on the measures urged by this resolution. Member states should enact strict export controls, criminalize the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and secure all related materials within their borders.
Today's resolution is an important achievement. We must continue to press these efforts to ensure that the world's most destructive weapons are kept from the world's most dangerous regimes and organizations.


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Fonds consists of correspondence, minutes, membership records, financial records, and recordings of rehearsals and performances of the Victoria Choral Society.
Victoria Choral SocietyFonds consists of correspondence, minutes, reports, financial records, and membership records of the Association.
Association of Women Electors of Greater VictoriaThe fonds consists of photographs and a scrapbook. The photographs show unidentified people, soldiers (World War I) and Victoria and Nanaimo scenes. Many photographs appear to show MacLachlan's parents' house and garden. The scrapbook contains newsclippings of MacLachlan's advertisement for his brokerage business, 1909-1911, and articles mainly about mines; loose issues of MacLachlan's stock review; stock prospectuses; sheet music; various loose programs; and letters promoting a new Canadian flag.
MacLachlan, Robert DouglasThe fonds consists of photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, rules and regulations of the Victoria Girls' Drill Team, programmes and miscellaneous artifacts. Photographs, scrapbooks, and newspaper clippings depict the activities and members of the team. Artifacts consists of two complete uniforms, one hat, a team banner and a bust of Norman "Cappy" Foster. Records of team members Helen Tregellas (nee Cook) and Alice Grant (nee Harvey) have been interfiled with the records of the organization.
Victoria Girls' Drill TeamThe fonds consists of photographs of the business interests of Clarence Hoard. Photographs include images of logging in British Columbia and the manufacture of silos. Also included are photographs collected presumably because Hoard was an investor in several ventures. These include photographs of the Nitinat Lake, Clo-ose and Carmanah regions of Vancouver Island taken by the West Coast Development Company, and photographs of the Cholberg Shipyard and the schooner S.F. Tolmie, which was built at the Cholberg Shipyard.
Hoard, ClarenceThe fonds consists of photographs and miscellaneous files. Photographs depict M. Leo Sweeney's participation in sports and the Sweeney Cooperage. Miscellaneous files consist primarily of family reminiscences, a history of Sweeney Cooperage Ltd., Christmas cards and newspaper clippings.
Sweeney, M. Leo (Michael Leo)The fonds consists of correspondence and invoices.
Victoria West Athletic AssociationThe fonds consists of portrait photographs of various identified and unidentified individuals. Photographs appear to have been primarily taken by John Savannah though some may have been taken by his son Edward.
Savannah, JohnThe fonds consists of photographs of the Meed family, including those of William Meed. Images depict the family house at 664 Dallas Road, fishing and picnicking at the Esquimalt Lagoon, Beacon Hill Park and the Parliament Buildings.
Meed (family)The fonds consists of portrait photographs of unidentified individuals.
Spencer, S.A. (Stephen Allen), d. 1911The fonds consists of photographs, the majority of which are taken from a photo album. Images are of the Stuart White's Scandals theatrical troupe, Harrison Lake, and a Red Cross volunteer.
Spencer, Mr., musicianThe fonds consists of photographs taken by the Campbell Studio and Claude Colpitts. Images depict the Foundation Company of B.C. Ltd. shipyards located in Victoria West, parades held in Victoria and other miscellaneous photographs of sporting groups, military personnel and others.
Campbell Studio (Victoria, B.C.)The fonds consists of three scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and one architectural sketch. Scrapbooks document Sorby's work in Victoria, primarily his proposals regarding the development of the Inner Harbour and James Bay Seawalls. Clippings also relate to technological developments, such as fireproof building materials, which influence architectural development. The architectural sketch is a proposed plan of the Parliament Buildings of British Columbia.
Sorby, Thomas CharlesThe fonds consists of photographs of Stoneyhurst, the Harvey home in Victoria, the Harvey family and servants, and many Indian cairns.
Harvey, George JohnThe fonds consists of photographs of the James Bay Athletic Association. Images depict athletic events, members of the Association and the JBBA clubhouses. Fonds also contains 10 copies of images lent to the archives for copying purposes and returned to the Association.
James Bay Athletic AssociationThe fonds consists of a daily cash journal of the downtown Victoria Eaton's and David Spencer Ltd. department store. Data elements include date, cash, charges and S.D. receipts. Monthly totals are calculated at the end of each month with monthly comparisons at the back of the journal. Journal also documents daily weather conditions as they reflected on the daily operation of the store. Also included are annotations reflecting on current events including both local and world news.
T. Eaton Co. (Victoria, B.C.)The fonds consists of family photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, theatre programmes, certificates, miscellaneous textual records and artifacts. The majority of the records were created by Glen E. Rochfort with a lesser amount created by Phyllis Rochfort.
Rochfort (family)The fonds consists of photographs of the Jones and Brady families, the Jones family residences, sailors on the HMS Warspite and Jones' family friends including the Leeder family. Fonds consists of 17 original prints and 33 copies of loaned images.
Jones, O.M. (Oswald Meredith)The fonds consists of commercial studio images. The majority of images are portraits of individuals.
McAllister, KennethThe fonds consists of records compiled and created by Albert Todd, Richard Todd, and Marjorie Todd. Series include photographs, research notes and copies of correspondence and newspaper clippings. Photographs document Albert E. Todd's 1910 automobile trip from California to Canada and a 1935 Union Club dinner following a Joyce Weathered and Marjorie Todd golf match. Research notes, correspondence and newspaper clippings relate to Albert E. Todd's life and career.
Todd (family)The fonds consists of bylaws, minutes of meetings, membership dues ledgers, monthly reports of the corresponding secretary, correspondence and artifacts of Local 372.
Journeymen Barber's International Union of America. Local 372 (Victoria, B.C.)The fonds consists of Charles Hayward's 1862 diary.
Hayward, CharlesThe fonds consists of copies of Ernest Hayward's family correspondence.
Hayward, Ernest C., d. 1933The fonds consists primarily of glass plate negatives, the majority of which are images of individuals and family groups, including members of the Chambers and Todd families. Other images show industrial and commercial scenes, probably in the Nanaimo and central Vancouver Island areas, which are also the likely locales for a number of the pictures of beach camping scenes. Aside from pictures taken in England, the locales of a substantial number of images can only be surmised to be the Canadian Prairies and the southwestern United States. The work of Arthur Hyde Chambers and Frederick Dundas Todd are irretrievably mixed in this fonds. A single file of textual material consists of letters, real estate documents, a map and clippings.
Chambers (family)The fonds consists of family photographs, scrapbooks, diaries, invitations, vacation files, Provincial MLA files, copies of political speeches, records relating to Native Sons of British Columbia, records relating to the British Columbia Pioneer Society, records of Charles Hayward relating to the Lorindale mining claim on Texada Island, and miscellaneous records.
Hayward, Reginald


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SAN FRANCISCO, July 20 (Reuters) – Google Inc's (NASDAQ:GOOG) energy unit has entered into a deal to buy wind power from NextEra Energy Inc (NYSE:NEE) for the next 20 years to power data centers.
The deal comes less than three months after the giant Silicon Valley Internet search company invested $38.8 million in two wind farms in North Dakota, developed by NextEra Energy Resources, that generate enough energy to power more than 55,000 homes.
Google Energy LLC will begin buying wind power from July 30 from NextEra's facility in Iowa at a predetermined rate, Urs Hoelzle, Google's senior vice president of operations, said in a blog on Google's website.
"Incorporating such a large amount of wind power into our portfolio is tricky, but this power is enough to supply several data centers," Hoelzle added.
Google has pushed ahead in addressing climate change issues as a philanthropic effort through its Google.org arm.
The often-quirky company said in late 2007 that it would invest in companies and do research of its own to produce affordable renewable energy — at a price less than burning coal — within a few years.
The company's Google Energy unit, formed in December, allows the company to buy large volumes of renewable energy from the wholesale power market. (Reporting by Poornima Gupta, editing by Gerald E. McCormick)


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BLM Must Disclose Circumstances Behind Putting William Pendley in Director's Chair
News Releases
BLM Must Disclose Circumstances Behind Putting William Pendley in Director's Chair
Courthouse Steps Agreement Means Monday MSPB Hearing Is Cancelled
Trump and Bernhardt Continue to Deny Senate Role in Confirming Directors
Ultra-Right Wing Lawyer William Pendley is Uniquely Unqualified to Run BLM
Prosecutions Plummet as Authorized Law Enforcement Slots Remain Unfilled
BLM Fires 21-Year Veteran Whistleblower Rather than Curtailing Illegal Grazing
BLM Decision Documents Covering Six States Are Invalid
Agency Stops Posting Performance Data and Hides Basic Programmatic Information
Full cost of federal grazing program well overdue for complete analysis
BLM Alaska Downsizing Reduces Both Staff and Oil Company Reimbursements
White Papers |
Horses to Slaughter — Anatomy of a Coverup within the BLM (April 1997) The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) within the Department of Interior is the agency mandated by law "to protect and manage wild free-roaming horses...as components of the public lands." Yet, the BLM has tolerated and in some instances facilitated the routine and illegal trafficking of wild horses to slaughter. The agency has obstructed efforts by its own law enforcement officers to expose commercial theft of wild horses, fraudulent adoption schemes and fictitious "sanctuary" herds not only to avoid embarrassment but also to maintain the flow of horses off the range. more >> |
Land of No Return$ — Bankruptcy of the BLM Public Domain Forestry Program (April 1997) An 18-month investigation of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Public Domain forestry program by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) reveals that nearly all BLM districts lose money on their timber sale programs. Monetary losses from the BLM's forestry program are roughly equal to the agency's entire forest management budget. Based on current and projected future budget allocations, the program stands to lose more than $30 million over the next five years. more >> |
Bureau of Land Mismanagement — Timber Sale Maladministration (March 1997) Through negligence and outright fraud, nearly half of the timber harvested from the public domain is stolen. BLM's "lump sum" removal techniques result in timber purchasers regularly taking more trees than allowed, in some cases five times the contract volume without additional payment. more >> |
Never Mind NEPA — No Laws, No Science, No Problem for the BLM (December 1996) BLM fails to comply with federal laws when conducting timber sales. The agency's preoccupation with "getting the cut out" violates environmental safeguards and precludes public oversight. more >> |
Savage Salvage — The Timber Feeding Frenzy within BLM, Part Three of a Comprehensive Study of the Forestry Program of the Bureau of Land Management (September 1996) Poor timber sales practices by BLM are aggravating wildlife potential in the West and cutting into healthy forests at an unsustainable rate. A "salvage rider" has allowed prime, young trees to be sold as salvage, while dead or diseased trees are left on site. BLM has allowed harvests to continue at alarming rates. In 1996 BLM gave California, Montana, Washington, and Oregon permission to exceed their sustainable harvest rates by 500%. more >> |
Where Timber Beasts Rule the Earth — Overcutting BLM Public Domain Forests (July 1996) The BLM destroys fragile, transitional public domain forests through over cutting. The agency fails to harvest timber in a sustainable manner, using erroneous data and exceeding maximum allowable cut levels. more >> |
Phantom Forests — Part One of a Comprehensive Study of the BLM's Forestry Program (May 1996) BLM forest inventories and plans are outdated, inaccurate and incomplete despite agency policy. The agency vastly exaggerates the success of reforestation efforts and counts barren tracts as fully restored. more >> |
Public Trust Betrayed — Employee Critique of Bureau of Land Management Rangeland Management (January 1995) BLM reports that rangelands are in their best condition ever, and refuses to even acknowledge the problems of overgrazing and industry domination of BLM land. District managers, fisheries and wildlife biologists, and conservations show how these practices damage and exhaust public land, destroy habitats, and degrade adjoining waterways. more >> |


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Shaken Up
Posted by Traci K. on
If you've ever experienced an earthquake, you know how scary it was for East Coasters when the ground started moving on Tuesday afternoon. With Mineral, VA as its epicenter and a magnitude of 5.8, the August 23rd earthquake was felt from South Carolina to Maine. That may not be such an unusual happening in other parts of the country, but we haven't had an earthquake like this since 1944! Thankfully, there was little damage. But it seems like there's been one natural disaster after another in the past year or two. And in the quake's aftermath, with Hurricane Irene ready to strike, we couldn't help but think about our readiness. How prepared are we? How prepared are you? Does your school have a safety procedure in place? How will you make students aware of that plan without overwhelming them? As you head back to school, there's no better time to explore these questions. And as always, we offer a breadth of resources to help. Relevant topics include Earthquakes, Plate Tectonics, Hurricanes, Weather, Natural Disasters, Tsunami, Tornadoes, Floods, and Avalanches. Plus, turn to lesson plans like Back to School With Natural Disasters, Cause and Effect: Natural Disasters, and Global Connections Through Natural Disasters.


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RN Travel Nurse - Labor & Delivery $2,772/wk
- Employer
- Nomad Health
- Location
- Pittsfield, Massachusetts
- Closing date
- Oct 4, 2023
View more
- Discipline
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Specialty
- Labor and Delivery
- Position Type
- Nurse
- Hours
- Full Time
- Work Setting
- Hospital / Medical Center, Travel
You need to sign in or create an account to save a job.
Take the next step in your healthcare career and join Nomad Health as a travel nurse. With Nomad, you get access to industry-leading pay, outstanding benefits, and our knowledgeable Nomad Navigator support team.
- Minimum one year of RN experience
- One yearLabor & Delivery experience within the last two years as an RN
- Have an active RN license or be willing to obtain a Registered Nurse license in MA
- RN degree from an accredited registered nurse program
- BLS and all relevant Labor & Delivery/department-specific certifications required
- Register for a Nomad Health account to view full job details and apply
- Major medical and dental plans available on your first day of work
- 401(k) with employer matching available
- Reimbursement for travel to your assignment
- Housing stipend
- Weekly deposits direct to your bank account
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text:
Elegant birds even when they give the warning cry.
E is for the Eastern Tailed-blue butterfly.
Although they are very tiny
they are equal in beauty to the large swallowtails.
We plant clover to ensure they have plenty of food.
Seeing them nectar in the yard is exciting.
E is for Echinacea, the purple coneflower.
The roots make a healing tea.
E is for ear.
When the bees whisper we listen.
I am an Entomologist at heart.
I study insects.
E is for the Ebony Jewel Wing.
These are the most exquisite of all the Damselflies.
Perhaps the most exquisite of all the insects.
For me the Ebony Jewel Wings are the essence of all that is beautiful.
I am enthusiastic about protecting the Ebony Jewel Wing's environment.
I would like to entice everyone to join in my efforts.
I love the Earth and all of her creatures.
Happy ABC Wednesday.
Thank you mrsnesbitt and team.
To enjoy lots of exciting world wide exotic posts click here!


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This article was originally written in 2006, but the solution below still (in 2017) applies to Mac computers with optical drive.
Earlier this evening I inserted a blank DVD into my MacBook Pro wanting to burn some files. However, OS X never recognised the disc, nothing on the desktop, nothing in the Finder, not even in the Disk Utility. I pressed the Eject button, pressed and held F12 for a few seconds, but the disk was stuck.
I had a DVD stuck once before, even though recognised by the system, and I got it out after tilting the computer 45 degrees forward. But this time, whatever I did there was no eject mechanism sound at all, just a very quiet sound of the disk spinning up and slowing down every few seconds.
So I decided to use good old trick of holding down the mouse button while booting the computer up. Rebooted, held the trackpad button down – but nothing. Even more interesting is that the computer wouldn't start up at all.
The only thing I hear, following the Apple sound, is the disk spinning, possibly trying to read the boot sector and then slowing down. And this gets repeated forever. The screen stays grey, no Apple logo, nothing.
OK, another try, held down Cmd-Option-P-R, then held down D and finally held down even C while booting, but exactly same result – disk spins up and slows down few times, grey screen and a high blood pressure.
I thought, the computer is trying to boot from the optical drive but is unable to read the disc hence going into the endless loop, so I used a little trick. I inserted a small piece of thin battery pack cardboard just above the disc and twisted it (the cardboard) a little so that the disk can't spin when starting up. I turned the computer on and held down the trackpad button.
I could hear the sound of the optical drive inside, not the spinning sound but rather sound of something moving ever so slightly. I heard it only two times and the third sound was a well known one – the offending DVD came out.
The computer then happily booted the OS X. I looked up the disc very carefully and there were no faults with it at all, no bends, no scratches or cracks, just a perfect DVD.
Oh … there is ONE MORE THING! Since 2006 this page was visited about 680.000 times (as of April 2017) and counting. Say 10% of visitors had a problem with their DVD drive. That's 68.000 computers. Each of those would have paid at least $100 to Apple service centres to get their DVD out, and in some cases much more to replace the DVD / Super drive. This means Silvermac has saved you about $6.8 Million, probably much more thank that.
However, the total for all donations to Silvermac is $236. That's in eleven years.
So once your disk pops out show your appreciation and make your donation here. A cup of coffee would be just fine. You can use either your PayPal account or your credit card and it's much easier that getting that DVD out.


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Asian shares rise on Wall Street gains amid trade friction
Asian shares were mostly higher Friday after gains on Wall Street but investors continued to watch for news about U.S.-China trade friction.
KEEPING SCORE: Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.1 percent to 21,524.02, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.5 percent to 5,685.50 in early trading. South Korea's Kospi rose 0.1 percent to 2,070.83. Hong Kong's Hang Seng inched up less than 0.1 percent to 26,164.46, while the Shanghai Composite was also up less than 0.1 percent at 2,606.52. Shares were also higher in Indonesia and Taiwan.
ANALYST'S TAKE: "Clouded with much uncertainty, markets will likely remain jittery and may struggle to hold on to the gains," says Jayden Loh, a Trader at IG in Singapore.
WALL STREET: The S&P 500 index fell 4.11 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,695.95. The benchmark index had been down as much as 2.9 percent. The Dow dropped 79.40 points, or 0.3 percent, to 24,947.67. The average briefly slumped as much as 784 points. The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite reversed an early loss to finish with a gain, adding 29.83 points, or 0.4 percent, to 7,188.26. The Russell 2000 index of small-company stocks gave up 3.34 points, or 0.2 percent, to 1,477.41. U.S. stock and bond trading were closed Wednesday because of a national day of mourning for President George H.W. Bush.
FED WATCH: Last week, stocks jumped after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell indicated the central bank might consider a pause in rate hikes next year while it gauges the impact of its credit tightening program. The Fed has raised rates three times this year and is expected to boost rates for a fourth time at its Dec. 18-19 meeting of policymakers. At the same time, there has been growing evidence that global economic growth is slowing.
TRADE WATCH: The gap between what the U.S. sells and what it buys from foreign countries hit $55.5 billion in October, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. The politically sensitive deficit with China rose 7.1 percent to a record $43.1 billion. The dramatic arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer, has driven home why it will be so hard for the Trump administration to resolve its deepening conflict with China. Skepticism is growing about the trade truce Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping reached last weekend in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
ENERGY: U.S. benchmark crude fell 24 cents to $51.25 a barrel. It dropped 2.6 percent to $51.49 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, dipped 39 cents to $59.67.
CURRENCIES: The dollar weakened to 112.75 yen from 112.80 yen late Thursday. The euro rose to $1.1376 from $1.1345.
Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter at https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
On Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yurikageyama/?hl=en